Oregon Hunter Safety Course

Inline Percussion Muzzleloader

This is the modern inline muzzleloader. It looks like most modern firearms, and it is very popular today. Some are equipped with a safety, and even a telescopic sight can be attached to certain models. Some inline muzzleloaders are also equipped with an electronic ignition, where a tiny spark is produced in the breech, and ignites the gunpowder more rapidly than a percussion cap would. The inline and caplock muzzleloaders differ on where the nipple is attached. In an inline muzzleloader, the cap is in-line with the hammer and the barrel. The inline has the nipple attached to the barrel at the breech and accessed by a bolt or break action. Also, the inline model has a removable breech plug, to facilitate cleaning. The firing mechanism consists of the following parts:

Stock

Supports the action and the barrel of a firearm and is made out of either wood or synthetic material.

Hammer

Strikes the percussion cap, producing a spark.

Safety

Where available, this is a pivot-style device connected to the frame of the firearm and can block either the trigger or the hammer.

Nipple

A small metal tube that is tapered and screws into the breech plug. The percussion cap is pushed onto the nipple and is held on by tension.

Trigger

Small lever on the firearm that, when pulled, releases the hammer and strikes the percussion cap.

Ramrod

The ramrod is used to push the bullet down a barrel until it is seated on top of the charge. It is also used to determine whether the firearm is loaded. On traditional muzzleloaders, the ramrod may be made of wood, whereas modern muzzleloaders will have a fiberglass or composite ramrod.